Page 14 - The Minor Prophets - Student textbook

Because they were close relatives, the Israelites were forbidden to hate
the Edomites (Deuteronomy 23:7). However, the Edomites regularly
attacked Israel, and many wars were fought as a result. King Saul
fought against the Edomites, and King David subjugated them,
establishing military garrisons in Edom. With control over Edomite
territory, Israel had access to the port of Ezion-Geber on the Red Sea,
from which King Solomon sent out many expeditions. After the reign of
Solomon, the Edomites revolted and had some freedom until they
were subdued by the Assyrians under Tiglathpileser.

During the Maccabean wars, the Edomites were subjugated by the
Jews and forced to convert to Judaism. Through it all, the Edomites
maintained much of their old hatred for the Jews. When Greek became
the common language, the Edomites were called Idumaeans. With the
rise of the Roman Empire, an Idumaean whose father had converted to
Judaism was named king of Judea. That Idumaean is known in history
as King Herod the Great, the tyrant who ordered a massacre in Bethlehem in an attempt to kill the
Christ child (Matthew 2:16-18).

After Herod's death, the Idumaean people slowly disappeared from history. God had foretold the
destruction of the Edomites in Ezekiel 35, saying, “As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of
Israel, because it was desolate, so I will deal with you; you shall be desolate, Mount Seir, and all Edom,
all of it. Then they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 35:15). Despite Edom’s constant efforts to rule
over the Jews, God's prophecy to Rebekah was fulfilled: the older child served the younger, and Israel
proved stronger than Edom.

The Biblical Edom Unearthed

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